I applaud your efforts in protecting our country through your respective positions.

The need for this capability is becoming increasingly clearer considering what we have learned regarding the proliferation of weapons.

I certainly want to thank the Service Chiefs for being here today, but I also want to thank you for the great work that you are doing in leading our young men and women in the military as they fight and battle terrorism both here at home…

Thousands of men and women from my home State of North Carolina have proudly gone to serve in Iraq.

We are forging a process of peace and in doing so we are moving toward turning control of the government and society back to the Iraqi people.

I think your charge on any change to RESPA should be: 'First, do no harm.'

I also believe that it is in the best interest of some in the industry to keep the process as complicated as possible.

This Proposed Rule seeks to make it easier for consumers to compare prices and get the best loan possible.

Increasing homeownership, especially for lower income and minority families, is one of my top priorities.

We must continue, however, with the work of the Senate, and we do have a very important issue before us today.

If we ask the men and women of our armed services to go into harms way, they need to know that we are doing everything to make sure that we are taking care of their families.

How can we possibly justify the cuts that have been made in Impact Aid funding?

I want to help inspire them to realize that public service, service to their country, is a noble thing to do.

As I look at the immense task facing our Armed Forces, I have some concerns about our ability to maintain the high combat-ready status of our forces.

General Myers, are we doing enough to make the Junior ROTC program more widely available, particularly to urban and inner city schools?

General Myers, is this very cost-effective program adequately funded?

This seems to me to be one of those truly transformational programs that goes directly to improving morale and helping the troops and their families make a positive decision about making the military a career.

Title III, however, addresses the true emergency needs of many in this country, and in North Carolina particularly.